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Blago, Burris, dems, and a problem!

LMMLMMOld Faithful
THIS GUY WAS SLICK, APPOINT A BLACK GUY AND WATCH THE DEMS SQUIRM, AND IT HAS WORKED!


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Blagojevich snubs Senate, taps Burris for seat
December 30, 2008 at 4:54 PM | Comments (137)
In a display of political bravado, disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich today appointed former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate, challenging national Democratic leaders to reject the appointment of an African-American to the seat that propelled Barack Obama to the White House.

The defiant move tests the resolve of Senate Democrats who said they would not admit anyone appointed by Blagojevich, who is facing impeachment after being accused of trying to sell the Senate seat for personal gain. And it reveals to a nation celebrating Obama's victory the underbelly of Chicago's race-based political scene.

President-elect Obama supported the announcement by Senate Democrats that Blagojevich's appointment "will ultimately not stand."

Obama issued the following statement:

"Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat. I agree with their decision, and it is extremely disappointing that Governor Blagojevich has chosen to ignore it. I believe the best resolution would be for the Governor to resign his office and allow a lawful and appropriate process of succession to take place. While Governor Blagojevich is entitled to his day in court, the people of Illinois are entitled to a functioning government and major decisions free of taint and controversy."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada now faces a difficult political situation amid uncertainties that an attempt to block Burris from taking office can withstand a legal challenge. Burris, Illinois' first statewide elected African-American, wants entry into a chamber that no longer has any blacks.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush of Chicago, appearing at Blagojevich's announcement at Burris' invitation, underscored the role of race in the governor's decision by using racially charged terms to defend the appointment.

"I would ask you to not hang or lynch the appointee as you try to castigate the appointer," said Rush, who promised to lobby congressional leaders on Burris' behalf.

"That was excellent Bobby. Thank you," Blagojevich said to Rush. The governor then turned to reporters and said, "Feel free to castigate the appointer but don't lynch the appointer. I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing!"

While Democrats on all levels were quick to castigate the governor, who was arrested three weeks ago on allegations he tried to sell Obama's former Senate seat, they were careful not to accuse Burris of any taint associated with Blagojevich. Still, questions remained why the former three-term state comptroller and one-term attorney general, nearly 14 years removed from holding statewide elected office, would accept the appointment when others who had sought it shied away after the governor's arrest.

Burris has long sought a jump to higher office, failing in three primary bids for governor in 1994, 1998 and, in 2002 against Blagojevich, as well as campaigns for Chicago mayor in 1995 and U.S. senator in 1984. In accepting the appointment, he refused to discuss Blagojevich's alleged criminal activities or whether he believed the governor should step down.

"I am not a tool of the governor. I'm a tool of the people of Illinois," Burris told the Tribune Tuesday evening. "If I was worried about the taint [of Blagojevich], I would never have accepted that. I don't have any taint from Gov. Blagojevich."

Burris, who has always maintained an outsized political ego even larger than that required of most politicians, said he thought Blagojevich picked "the most qualified person in the state of Illinois to . . . serve out the term of Barack Obama."

Yet Burris was the second of two post-arrest finalists for Blagojevich when the governor offered him the job Sunday night. U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, a black congressman from the West Side, said he was offered the post by a Blagojevich representative a week ago and told the governor's office Friday he declined the offer.

Davis had said he would reject a Blagojevich appointment because the governor had "lost his moral authority" and would rather see "a governor who is not tainted" make the appointment. But on Tuesday, Davis said he would support Burris' selection.

Burris has given more than $20,000 to Blagojevich's campaign fund on his own and through his consulting and law firms, state campaign finance records show. Burris' consulting company received about $290,000 in state contracts with the Illinois Department of Transportation a few years ago, according to state comptroller records. Some of the clients Burris' firm lobbied for also got state business.

Blagojevich had supported efforts proposed by the leaders of the Democratic-controlled General Assembly to approve legislation that would remove the unfettered power of the governor to fill a vacant U.S. Senate seat in favor of a special election. But Blagojevich said the legislature's decision not to move forward left him no choice.

"If I don't make this appointment, then the people of Illinois will be deprived of their appropriate voice and vote in the United States Senate," Blagojevich said.

The governor called Burris an individual of "unquestioned integrity, extensive experience," adding "Please, don't allow the allegations against me to taint this good and honest man."

But early word about the governor's surprise move prompted U.S. Senate Democratic leaders to hold a conference call during which they decided not to seat Burris or any other Blagojevich appointee. Shortly after Blagojevich's arrest, Reid, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois and the other Senate Democrats asked Blagojevich to resign and warned any appointee would not be allowed to serve.

On Tuesday, Senate Democratic leadership said "anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative" for Illinois because they "would serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety."

The governor said his appointment was about Burris, not himself. While he told reporters that "I don't want to hog the limelight," Blagojevich's brazen move was very much about the governor and his future.

Blagojevich's public support has plummeted sharply, even before his arrest, but the governor still maintained sizable support from the African-American community. In dismissing the threat of Democratic U.S. senators, Blagojevich said he was "absolutely confident and certain" that Burris would be seated in the Senate and Rush said, "I don't think that anyone, any U.S. senator who's sitting the Senate right now, wants to go on record to deny one African American from being seated in the U.S. Senate."

U.S. Rep. Janice Schakowsky, an Evanston Democrat and once a close Blagojevich ally, told CNN the governor's appointment was "in some ways . . . a shrewd, if not cynical move."Blagojevich's move didn't play well in Springfield either.

"I think you'll find that members of the impeachment committee will not be pleased with this development," said committee member and state Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), adding that "the timing is so wrong as to put a cloud over the appointment."

Republicans also used Blagojevich's decision to resurrect their call for a special election and to attack the state legislature's Democratic majority as enablers for allowing the governor to keep his appointment power.

Monique Garcia, John Chase, Mike Dorning and Hal Dardick contributed to this report.

--Rick Pearson and Ray Long
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B beternUOld Faithful
quote:
Originally posted by Zeb:
Harry Reid is full of crap

Burris meets the qualifications to be a U.S. Senator it is that simple


You are correct, Sir And I would remind the self-asserted "strict constructionists" that even with the regrettable Blagoyevitch (sp?), an accused in this nation is regarded as "innocent until proven guilty in a court of law." If Burris is qualified, he should go to the Senate. We can be certain that in any confirmation hearing, his credentials--experiential, professional and ethical--will be thoroughly investigated. If some element of corruption is therein discovered, then he should not be confirmed. If he passes muster, he should become the junior senator from Illinois. That he was appointed by a scumbag is not a valid consideration. Even a scumbag can get it right sometimes.
LMMLMMOld Faithful
beternU,
It does not matter if the man is qualified or not, he is supposed to be 'tainted' by the appointment from the scum blago. How quickly all the threats disappear when a black is appointed. Would another choice have fared as well?
Reid claims he will stick by his guns, but I fear, as usual, they are empty.



Senate won't accept Blago choice Burris
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Posted December 30, 2008 2:30 PM
The Swamp

by James Oliphant and updated

In a statement released minutes ago, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Democrats would not allow Roland Burris, Gov. Rod Blagojevich's apparent choice as Illinois' next senator, to be seated as a member of the Senate.

Reid's statement makes good on a threat issued two weeks ago by the Democratic Caucus, which will hold a commanding majority in the new Senate, that anyone named by the embattled Illinois governor would not be allowed to take office. The U.S. Constitution arguably grants the Senate the power to bar Burris from assuming the position. However, in the past, that power has been used in the past only when the senator in question was elected through fraud or corruption.

In this case, there is no evidence that Burris, a former state attorney general, figured in any way in Blagojevich's alleged scheme to leverage Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat for personal gain. And Burris would be been appointed, not elected. But Reid said Tuesday that does not matter.

"It is truly regrettable that despite requests from all 50 Democratic Senators and public officials throughout Illinois, Gov. Blagojevich would take the imprudent step of appointing someone to the United States Senate who would serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety," Reid said. "We say this without prejudice toward Roland Burris's ability, and we respect his years of public service. But this is not about Mr. Burris; it is about the integrity of a governor accused of attempting to sell this United States Senate seat. Under these circumstances, anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich cannot be an effective representative of the people of Illinois and, as we have said, will not be seated by the Democratic Caucus."

On Dec. 17, citing the threat from Senate Democrats, Blagojevich's lawyer, Ed Genson, said the governor would not be making an appointment. Blagojevich apparently did not receive that memo.

Blagojevich is set to announce the appointment of Burris this afternoon, according to the Chicago Tribune. The question now becomes whether Burris will accept the appointment, and then whether he would choose to somehow challenge the Senate action. An Illinois state legislative panel is also determining Tuesday whether to recommend the impeachment of Blagojevich.

UPDATE: According to a Republican source, a GOP senator could, theoretically, prevent Democrats from refusing to seat Burris, should it come to that. That's because a dispute could end up before the Senate Rules Committee, which would produce a resolution either accepting or rejecting Burris. That could mean a floor vote, which, under Senate rules, could be filibustered. Senate Democrats will not have the required 60 votes to override a filibuster.

Why would a Republican want to help Burris, a Democrat, end up in the Senate and give the Dems another vote? Hard to say. But a 71-year-old Blagojevich appointee with little statewide name recognition could make for a tempting opponent for Republicans when a election to fill the seat comes around in 2010.
Z ZebHall of Famer
quote:
How quickly all the threats disappear when a black is appointed. Would another choice have fared as well?



You either are ignorant of the situation or you just state lies to fit your arguement

The Dems have NOT backed off or eased up,they are VERY much against the appointment so go make up another falsehood


Although Burris should and WILL be a senator
LMMLMMOld Faithful
This is just one of many shifts in view, Zeb.
AND, please don't call me a liar, I have not called you one, or ignorant for that matter.

Burris and Blago: What Happens Now?
By: Jane Hamsher Thursday January 1, 2009 9:30 am


The NYT says that Danny Davis was initially offered Barack Obama's Senate seat on December 24, but he turned it down on Friday the 26th. He did, however, recommend Roland Burris for the position. Blagojevich made the offer on Sunday, and Burris accepted:

On Monday, before the plan was announced, Mr. Burris said he asked his staff to contact Mr. Obama and other Democratic leaders. Somehow, the calls did not reach Mr. Obama, Mr. Burris said.

Yesterday four African American House members -- Maxine Waters of California, Donald M. Payne of New Jersey, Donna M.C. Christensen of the Virgin Islands, and Davis himself -- called for Burris to be seated:

“I do think it’s a dilemma for the leadership of the party,” Representative Payne said, referring to Democratic leaders in the Senate. “Everyone acknowledges that he’s a great choice. So to deny that person, I just think would send a disappointing signal.”

Throughout Wednesday the telephone lines were burning in the studios of WVON, a black talk radio station in Chicago, where scores of callers voiced their outrage at what they described as the racist efforts to block Mr. Burris from taking his seat.

It would certainly be interesting to watch the same Senate who gave convicted felon Ted Stevens a standing ovation (Reid calling him "distinguished colleague") exclude Burris.

Secretary of State Jesse White has said he will refuse to sign the paper work certifying the appointment, but it's not clear that his signature represents anything more than a formality. Nonetheless Burris is suing to force him to sign (PDF).

Reid, who didn't want to risk losing the seat by holding a special election, is still keeping his finger on the scale:

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) called White on Wednesday to "thank him for his strong position on this important matter," White spokesman Henry Haupt said.

The Washington Post says there are several possible "next steps":

* Burris arrives on Tuesday and is sworn in with the senators who were elected in November.
* Burris shows up, and his appointment is rejected because the Illinois secretary of state, Jesse White, has refused to sign the paperwork certifying the appointment.
* Burris shows up in Washington, and his appointment is referred to the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, which conducts an investigation of his selection by the governor to determine whether Burris should be seated.
* The matter ends up in Illinois and federal courts as Burris tries to force the Senate to seat him.
Z ZebHall of Famer
Harry Reid is polarizing because he is a politician but a awful one,some great policies but too partisan and unlike Obama he is not careful with his words

Burris is qualified as far as we all know and i see nothing wrong with african americans fighting for him,if i were part of an opressed minority i would fight my own that are QUALIFIED,but not the Jesse Jackson and Al Sharptons

Reid needs to follow the LAW,the governor appointed Burris and he meets the criteria in the Constitution

Also LMM i do apologize and Happy New Year
LMMLMMOld Faithful
The latest. Any one doubt he will be seated and it has NOTHING to do with race! Roll Eyes


Erickson, Burris reported, had advised him that "I would not be accepted, and I will not be seated, and I will not be permitted on the floor."

The former Illinois attorney general said he was "not seeking to have any type of confrontation" over taking the seat. In addition to his court filing late in the day in Illinois, Burris said he was considering a federal lawsuit to force Senate Democrats to seat him.

It was a distraction for majority Democrats eager to project an image of progress with Obama on an economic stimulus package estimated to cost as much as $800 billion.

Democrats and Obama have said that the corruption charges against Blagojevich would strip credibility from anyone he appointed to the seat.

Blagojevich denies federal accusations that he tried to sell the seat Obama has given up for the presidency.

In a written statement Tuesday, the governor said allegations against him shouldn't be held against Burris, whom he called a "good and decent man."

"The people of Illinois are entitled to be represented by two senators in the United States Senate," Blagojevich said.

An attorney for Burris, Timothy W. Wright III, said that "our credentials were rejected by the secretary of the Senate. We were not allowed to be placed in the record book. We were not allowed to proceed to the floor for purposes of taking oath. All of which we think was improperly done and is against the law of this land."

Some of Burris' supporters have bemoaned the fact that Democrats would stand in the way of the Senate gaining its only black member. Burris himself downplayed the issue of race, telling reporters: "I cannot control my supporters. I have never in my life, in all my years of being elected to office, thought anything about race."

"I'm presenting myself as the legally appointed senator from the state of Illinois. It is my hope and prayer that they recognize that the appointment is legal," he said on CBS'"The Early Show."

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus said Tuesday that Burris should be seated.

"A lot of people want to talk about race or the governor and his problems, but the bottom line is you have a sitting governor who has certain legal rights and authorities and he's made an appointment," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md. "This is an issue that goes beyond race."
LMMLMMOld Faithful
Everybody is backtracking, as expected. I'm sure the Black Caucus would be behind the fairness of this if the guy was white.


Ill. panel to grill Burris on Senate appointment
Email this Story

Jan 8, 7:24 AM (ET)

By CHRISTOPHER WILLS

(AP) Illinois U.S. Senate Appointee Roland Burris smiles as he meets with Senate Majority Leader Harry...
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois Republicans are promising tough questions Thursday for Senate-appointee Roland Burris on why he accepted a position offered by disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich and whether he promised the governor anything in return.

Burris on Wednesday returned from an encouraging two-day visit to Washington, D.C., yet without being able to take the oath of office with the newest members of the 111th Congress. He next faces an impatient impeachment committee.

"I would like to specifically ask, under oath, if there was any quid pro quo for the appointment," said Rep. Mike Bost, a Republican member of the Illinois House committee considering Blagojevich's impeachment.

Lawmakers also plan to ask Burris about contributions to the governor's campaign, how Blagojevich's wife got a job with a group affiliated with Burris' business partner and why the governor's criminal lawyer approached Burris about the Senate instead of a staff member.

The panel is awaiting a federal court ruling Thursday on whether it will get to hear some of the secretly recorded conversations federal prosecutors made of Blagojevich allegedly scheming to trade government action for campaign contributions.

Some committee members hope to complete their work and schedule a House vote on an impeachment recommendation before the week's out. That would send the matter to the state Senate for a trial.

In Washington, D.C., U.S. Senate leaders have said they would be open to recognizing Burris' appointment after he deals with lingering legal obstacles.

They're also waiting for a decision from the Illinois Supreme Court on whether Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White must sign off on Blagojevich's appointment of Burris. Senate rules appear to bar seating anyone whose appointment isn't properly signed by state officials.

When Burris showed up at the Capitol to be sworn in Tuesday, he was turned away in the rain. But on Wednesday, he was invited in to meet with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and the No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois. Photographers snapped pictures of the three, Burris in the middle, smiling and chatting.


Later, Reid and Durbin reported that they thought highly of Burris and they were merely waiting for procedural matters to be resolved before he could be seated.

"We don't have a problem with him as an individual," Reid said.

Burris, 71, said he should be able to join the Senate "very shortly."

Burris denies any improper conduct to land his appointment, but Senate leaders hoped that Burris would be asked under oath Thursday whether he promised Blagojevich anything in exchange - sort of political insurance in case other news came out after his seating in the Senate.

If Burris offers that insurance and the Illinois Supreme Court requires the secretary of state to sign his appointment, then the Senate will almost certainly hold a vote on whether to seat Burris, Reid said.


The impeachment committee's Democratic chairwoman, state Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, played down the importance of Burris' appearance, saying people must "have a screw loose" to think Blagojevich offered improper deals after being arrested.

But Republican Rep. Jim Durkin said the appointment raises serious questions. He called the role of the governor's criminal attorney, Samuel Adam Jr., "another level of bizarre."

"Mr. Burris owes an explanation to the millions of people in the state," Durkin said.

Blagojevich's appointment of Burris on Dec. 30 created a furor. It came just three weeks after he was accused by federal prosecutors of scheming to profit from his power to name President-elect Barack Obama's replacement in the Senate.

Obama said Wednesday that the decision on whether to allow Burris to join the Senate is a decision for Senate leaders. The president-elect said he knew Burris, liked him and would be happy to work with him if he is seated.

The Congressional Black Caucus voted unanimously Wednesday to support seating Burris, who would be the Senate's only black member.

"This is a situation where we have a senator who has now missed out on his first day," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., a caucus member. "It's only fair that he be sworn in immediately. This is a no-brainer."

Meanwhile, Judicial Watch, a conservative watchdog group, sued the Senate on Wednesday, saying the refusal to seat Burris is unconstitutional.
LMMLMMOld Faithful
BLAGO SCORES!!!!!!!!!


Roland Burris has been certified by U.S. Senate officials to fill the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, FOX News has learned.

Senate Democratic leaders said they expect to seat Roland Burris later this week.

Burris, seeking to clear a key hurdle in his quest to succeed Obama in the Senate on Monday, dispatched his lawyers to the Capitol with formal paperwork designed to persuade Democrats to accept his appointment.

The two sides met privately in hopes of breaking an impasse that has plagued Senate Democrats.

The scandal-tainted standoff had stretched into the new Congress' second week in session, serving as a distraction for Democrats trying to start the year off right and tackle an ambitious agenda.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, under investigation for allegations that include seeking to trade Obama's Senate seat for personal favors, surprised Senate Democrats over the holiday break when he appointed Burris to succeed Obama in the Senate.

Senate Democrats, who had worried that any appointee would be tainted by Blagojevich, have been grappling with how to proceed ever since. They rejected Burris last week only to reverse course a day later after Obama himself privately weighed in and senators fretted that the situation was diverting their focus.

Burris was in Chicago on Monday as his representatives presented documents to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Capitol Hill in hopes of getting the Senate to accept Blagojevich's appointment of Burris.

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled last week that under state law, Burris' appointment paperwork is valid and that it's up to the Senate to decide whether to seat him.

But Reid and other Democrats have said that unless the appointment is signed by both the governor and the Illinois secretary of state, it violates Senate rules.

Reid has said the Senate would vote on whether to seat Burris after Senate lawyers review the documents and Burris' testimony before an Illinois House impeachment panel in which Burris said he promised Blagojevich nothing in exchange for the seat.

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